Christmas Presents in the Snow

Christmas Presents in the Snow
copyright 2005 by Cindy Appel

There was something I could do as a big sister to protect my younger sibling from pain.

In the dim autumn light, I took my six year old brother by the shoulders and lead him away from the snow drifts in the front yard. These snow drifts contained the charred remains of our Christmas presents which Mom had bought early this year and hid in the attic over the garage where the fire began.

The firemen had thrown the secreted gifts out into the yard the night before as they chopped holes in the roof to get at the fire. The fire had started with a stray spark from the water heater and spread upward into a crowded crawl space overhead.

I felt a sickening knot in my stomach as I spied the half-melted Barbie Country Camper I had begged my parents for sticking half way out of the pristine snow. I sighed. No Santa Claus this year, I reckoned.

But there was to be a Santa Claus that year. God watched over my family and showed us his love through the helping hands of friends and neighbors. As an eight year old I didn't understand the magic of rental insurance, but, after a few rough weeks spent in motel rooms, we were able to rent another home and replace some of the things we had lost. The insurance even paid to have all our smoky clothes dry cleaned.

I remembered how hard we laughed when we discovered out starched underwear! Mom was no June Cleaver, but she never did anything quite that crazy with our laundry. We couldn’t stop giggling. It was a relief to be able to laugh about the silliness of starched underwear after the horror of being awakened in the middle of the night and unceremoniously rushed out the door clad only in pajamas, running barefoot in the falling snow, a pure, white snow that would baptize the smoldering remains of our roof by next morning.

Since that time, fire and Christmas have become forever linked in my mind. One type of fire I observe at Christmas is the fire which blazed from afar in the Star of Bethlehem, a heavenly fire flooding the night sky with its light and warmth, hovering over the manger where baby Jesus lay. Another fire of sorts is the fact that Jesus’ birth into the realm of men is a perfect example of God's love, a love that "only takes a spark to get a fire going" in our hearts according to the words of a popular Christian folk song.

Sometimes during the Christmas season when all seems cold and lost like it did to me on that snowy November morning after our house caught fire, I remind myself that God's fire burns within the hearts of all who love Him and follow his Word. "Is not my word like fire?" declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23: 29a, NIV) Whether it’s cold outside--or inside--we need to wrap ourselves in the warmth of His Spirit each and every day.

I try to do this through prayer and Bible study, but in the hectic holiday season I realize how much better it is if I make myself slow down and gather with fellow Christians to loudly proclaim to the world, "God’s fire burns within our hearts! Jesus is born! Jesus is Lord!"

As a Christian I know I need to focus less on buying presents that can easily be lost in a house fire. Instead, I need to focus my energies on sharing gifts of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5: 22-23, NIV).

These gifts were given to us by our loving Father long ago on a similar wintry night in a stable in Bethlehem. And the best thing is knowing how these “Spirit gifts” warm a heart all year round.

With God’s eternal fire burning in my heart, remembering something as sad as Christmas presents in the snow will never again take away my joy. God’s fire burns within me--Jesus is Lord!

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NOW AVAILABLE!
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/best-xmas-gift.htm

THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT
by
Cindy Appel
A Wings of Faith Children's Book
Guardian Angel Publishing
Illustrations by Kevin Scott Collier
ISBN: 1-933090-19-7

In a day and age of generic "Happy Holidays", young Jake learns the real meaning of "Merry Christmas.". This picture book makes an excellent present for that special child/grandchild in your life.

To order, click on the link below:

http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/best-xmas-gift.htm
An excerpt from THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT:

“What is it, Jake?
Haven't you had fun today”
“I don't know, Grandma.” Jake sighed.
“What’s Christmas about anyway?”

“I mean, everywhere people are getting ready for the season,
but why do they do it? What's the big reason?
The shopping and bustling and rushing and noise
can't be over one silly old man who brings children toys.”


Merry Christmas!!